Let's get physical

Meeting new friends. Surviving college classes. Sharing a room with a complete stranger. College life is a scary endeavor. Many of these common freshman fears must be overcome on one’s own, but luckily for IU students, the University plays a big hand in helping students avoid the dreaded Freshman 15.

IU Campus Recreational Sports offers students a wide variety of ways to exercise their bodies. A student ID card allows free access to both campus recreational facilities, tennis courts, Woodlawn Field, Evan Williams Field and the North Fee Lane Outdoor Recreation Complex.

Students flock daily to the building with the largest amount of recreational options available, the Student Recreational Sports Center. This 204,000 square-foot center includes nine racquetball/squash courts, six outdoor tennis courts, five basketball/volleyball courts, three multi-purpose gyms and more than 400 pieces of cardiovascular, strength and conditioning equipment, according to the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation’s Web site. The center is also home to the Counsilman/Billingsley Aquatic Center, which features an Olympic-sized pool and diving well and is open to students.

Kim Cullman, IU senior and publicity assistant for RS, said if a student is looking to “get in and out, and not have to wait,” it is best to try out the facilities at the Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Building. This older facility located in the middle of campus is often less crowded than the SRSC, which was built in 1995. It features 10 basketball/volleyball courts, 12 racquetball/squash courts, three multi-purpose gyms and two swimming pools.

Although the SRSC is newer and air-conditioned, junior Spencer Lee visits the HPER about once or twice a week to play basketball.

“There are more courts and better competition here than there are at the SRSC,” Lee said.

While the HPER is perhaps more popular among the basketball players at IU, others prefer the SRSC.

“I feel like the SRSC is cleaner and it’s an easy location to come to after class,” said sophomore Emily Dauenhauer, who lived at Foster Quad her freshman year.

Whatever option students choose, RS statistics show that most are taking advantage of the RS membership that is paid for through their activity fee. Almost 88 percent of IUB students use RS programs and services at least once a week.

Students who want to become more involved can choose from 80 different free group-exercise sessions, from hip-hop dance classes to deep water exercise.

For those who miss the high school sports team atmosphere, intramural sports are a great option, Cullman said. RS sponsors 30 different intramural sports, including everything from basketball to capture the flag.

Students yearning for even more competition can try out one of the 40 club teams available, most of which compete against other colleges and universities around the country.

In addition, more options abound for students willing to spend the extra cash. Mind Body sessions can be bought at the beginning of each semester and include seven weeks of belly dance, pilates or yoga sessions. Personal training is also offered for students wanting guidance with their physical wellness.

“There’s something for every kind of interest,” Cullman said. “Since you’re paying for it already out of your student activity fee, you may as well use it.”